BRICS Support for UNSC Reform & India, India’s Strategy, Challenges

The 18th BRICS Summit, hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026, is expected to produce a Delhi Declaration supporting reforms in global governance institutions, stronger multilateralism and India’s bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

BRICS Support for UNSC Reform

According to reports on the proposed Delhi Declaration, BRICS members have reached consensus on reforming institutions of global governance, strengthening multilateralism and supporting India’s UNSC bid.

The significance of this support lies in BRICS’ growing role as a voice of the Global South. With 11 members representing around 49.5% of the global population, 40% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 26% of global trade, the grouping has increasing weight in discussions on how global institutions should be reformed.

Why is UNSC Reform Needed?

The United Nations Security Council has 15 members, including five permanent members  – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States and 10 non-permanent members.

The present structure largely reflects the geopolitical order of 1945, while the United Nations has expanded from 51 founding members to 193 members today.

• Under-representation of the Global South: Africa, Latin America and large parts of Asia lack permanent representation.
• Changing global power: Emerging economies such as India have acquired greater economic, demographic and diplomatic importance.
• Legitimacy deficit: Decisions on major international security issues require wider representation to enjoy greater credibility.
• Contemporary challenges: Climate change, terrorism, pandemics, artificial intelligence and new security threats require broader participation in global decision-making.

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Why is BRICS Support Important for India?

The expected BRICS support strengthens India’s longstanding campaign for permanent membership of the UNSC and gives its candidature greater diplomatic backing.

• Connects India’s bid with the Global South: India can present its candidature not merely as a demand for greater national influence, but as part of the wider effort to give developing countries greater representation in global decision-making.
• Adds diplomatic weight: Russia and China, both permanent members of the UNSC, are also BRICS members. Their support gives discussions on UNSC reform within BRICS greater diplomatic significance.
• Strengthens India’s multilateral diplomacy: BRICS adds another major platform to India’s efforts through the G4, L.69 Group, African Union and United Nations General Assembly.
• Supports India’s bridge-building role: India can use its position within BRICS to build consensus among countries with different interests while advancing the broader case for reform.

However, BRICS support alone cannot deliver UNSC reform because any change to the Council requires a much wider consensus within the United Nations.

Why Does India Seek Permanent Membership of the UNSC?

India’s claim is based on its demographic, economic, democratic and diplomatic significance, as well as its contribution to the United Nations system.

• Demographic weight: India is the world’s most populous country and represents a substantial share of humanity.
• Economic significance: India is one of the world’s major and fastest-growing economies.
• Democratic credentials: India is the world’s largest democracy and argues that its political and institutional experience strengthens its case for a permanent role.
• UN peacekeeping contribution: India has historically been among the major contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
• Global South representation: India seeks to bring the priorities and perspectives of developing countries into global decision-making.
• Growing diplomatic role: India’s participation in BRICS, the G20, G4, L.69 Group and other multilateral platforms reflects its expanding role in global affairs.

India has consistently called for the expansion of the UNSC in both permanent and non-permanent categories, rather than limiting reform to the addition of new non-permanent members.

India’s Strategy for UNSC Reform

India has adopted a coalition-based approach, using multiple platforms to build support for comprehensive UNSC reform.

• G4: India, Brazil, Germany and Japan support expansion of the UNSC in both permanent and non-permanent categories.
• L.69 Group: India works with developing countries that support comprehensive UNSC reform.
• African Union: India supports greater African representation in the UNSC, including through the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
• BRICS: India uses the grouping to build wider support among emerging and developing economies.
• United Nations: India continues to participate in the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform.

Through these platforms, India seeks to combine its own candidature with the broader demand for a more representative and effective multilateral system.

Challenges for India

India’s path to permanent UNSC membership remains difficult because the reform process involves competing interests within BRICS and the wider United Nations.

• Permanent members’ interests: Existing permanent members may have different positions on the expansion and composition of the Council.
• Veto issue: Whether new permanent members should receive veto power remains contentious.
• Regional rivalries: China’s position on India and Pakistan’s opposition add to the diplomatic challenge.
• Divergent BRICS interests: The expanded BRICS includes countries with different geopolitical priorities. Recent negotiations over the Delhi Declaration have highlighted these differences.
• Need for wider consensus: BRICS support cannot by itself reform the UNSC. Any structural change requires broad international agreement and a formal amendment process.

Way Forward

India needs to convert the growing political support for UNSC reform into a broader international consensus.

• Build a wider coalition: Continue working with developing countries to build support for comprehensive UNSC reform.
• Connect India’s bid with Global South representation: Present India’s candidature as part of the larger demand for equitable representation of developing countries.
• Strengthen existing partnerships: Continue coordination with the G4, L.69 and African Union.
• Use BRICS strategically: Build political support through BRICS while keeping the United Nations General Assembly at the centre of the reform process.
• Focus on effective reform: Work towards a UNSC that is more representative, legitimate and effective in addressing contemporary global challenges.